After I transmigrated, the cold king clung to me every day.

Chapter 129 Releasing Lanterns and Making Wishes

Lin Qianqian was about to release the lanterns when she heard the sound and instinctively turned around. She saw Murong Qing and Murong Lin not far away, and a look of surprise instantly appeared on her face. She was so excited that her voice trembled slightly as she shouted, "Seventh Princess~~~" and ran towards them.

Xiaodie and Wuming turned their heads in the same direction, their gazes following the same direction. Xiaodie was startled by her sudden action, but quickly realized what was happening and called out, "Hey~ Miss, wait for me!" She quickened her pace to catch up. Wuming, however, still looked bewildered, scratching his head as if he hadn't quite grasped the situation. Despite his confusion, he decided to follow the two.

Lin Qianqian moved with graceful, delicate steps, her skirt fluttering in the wind, and in an instant, she was beside the Seventh Princess, Murong Qing. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and she gently reached out and took Murong Qing's hand, the touch cool and soft.

Lin Qianqian could not hide her excitement, and her voice was clear and melodious: "Seventh Princess, Eighth Princess, I am so happy to see you!" Her smile was as bright and radiant as the warm spring sun.

Murong Qing nodded slightly, a happy smile curving her lips: "Yes! Us too! I never thought we'd meet again!" At this moment, Murong Qing stood tall and elegant, her former fragility gone, replaced by an inner confidence. Her gaze inadvertently met Chen Shuyu's, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Their eyes were only for each other, tender feelings spreading silently through the air.

Murong Qing withdrew her gaze and looked at Lin Qianqian, her gratitude overflowing: "Qianqian, do you know? The Empress Dowager has completely accepted Shuyu! We can now stay in the palace openly and legitimately, and we owe it all to you!"

Lin Qianqian waved her hand gently, her smile still sweet: "Don't be so polite, we're all family!"

Murong Lin blinked her big eyes, playfully leaned forward, and affectionately took Murong Qing's arm, pressing her face against her shoulder: "Seventh Sister and I are the closest. We can be together every day from now on." Her voice was soft and sweet, with a girlish charm, and her eyes were full of longing and anticipation for the future.

Chen Shuyu and Su Jinran stood to the side, watching this heartwarming scene, and smiled at each other. Their smiles were full of doting and indulgence towards them, as if their happiness was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Murong Yi stood alone in the corner, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, his eyes deep and mysterious, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts. Su Wan'er, on the other hand, tilted her head slightly, gave a soft snort, and her face was full of disdain.

Lin Qianqian's eyes sparkled with a lively light as she excitedly suggested, "How about this, let's release lanterns together!" Her voice was full of anticipation and joy, and her smile never faded.

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing and Murong Lin's eyes lit up, and they nodded repeatedly, responding in unison, "Yes, yes, that's great!" Their smiles were as bright as flowers, and their eyes were full of longing for the joyful time to come.

And so, like three joyful little birds, the three of them walked hand in hand toward the riverbank. Lin Qianqian's steps were light, and she didn't forget to turn back and wink at Xiaodie and Wuming, her eyes filled with tacit understanding and a call. The instant Lin Qianqian looked at Wuming, she was met with a fierce glare from Murong Yi, whose hand clenched tightly once more.

Murong Qing turned slightly to the side and gently waved to Chen Shuyu, her posture elegant and charming. Murong Lin also playfully called out to Su Jinran, "Jinran, come on!" Then, she turned her gaze to Murong Yi and warmly invited, "Ninth Brother, come together!"

Murong Yi was slightly taken aback, then came to his senses and replied somewhat woodenly, "Uh... oh..." His gaze subconsciously turned to Su Wan'er, and he said softly, "Wan'er, didn't you want to release the lanterns? Let's go!"

Su Wan'er initially looked disdainful, a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth revealing a hint of stubbornness and resentment. But under Murong Yi's gaze, she finally sighed helplessly and agreed. And so, following the bursts of laughter, they walked together towards the riverbank.

They stood quietly by the river, their eyes fixed on the lanterns that drifted away slowly. The lanterns swayed with soft light, reflecting dreamlike images on the water.

Lin Qianqian lowered her head slightly, slowly clasping her hands together in front of her chest. Her long eyelashes trembled gently before closing tightly, her expression devout and solemn. She silently prayed, "I hope Mom and Dad are healthy and happy. I hope Xiao Wan can focus on his studies, without distractions, and get into his ideal university." Every word seemed to come from the softest part of her heart, filled with her deep concern and blessings for her family.

A moment later, she slowly opened her eyes, her once bright eyes now revealing a complex expression. A slight smile played on her lips, but her heart was a jumble of emotions, a chaotic mix of feelings.

Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, seemingly piercing through the lanterns and river before her, looking towards her distant yet familiar home. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she wondered to herself, "Dad, Mom, I wonder how you are doing?" Thinking this, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

The nameless man stood tall and straight behind Lin Qianqian, his gaze like gentle waves under the warm spring sun, always following her figure. Tenderness and sincerity flowed freely in his deep eyes. A slight smile played on his lips, a smile full of pure care and expectation, whispering in his heart: "I hope she can always be happy!"

Murong Yi silently approached Lin Qianqian from behind, standing precisely to Wuming's left. A glimpse of Wuming's affectionate gaze from the corner of his eye reignited his jealousy, burning fiercely without diminishing.

He frowned slightly, letting out a barely audible snort, like a suppressed groan of anger. Then, his gaze seemed to drift unnoticed towards Lin Qianqian, his eyes filled with complex emotions—resentment, annoyance, yet also a barely perceptible hint of concern.

The lanterns floated gently on the water, like twinkling stars drifting slowly through the Milky Way. The soft candlelight swayed in the breeze, the light and shadow gradually diminishing until they finally disappeared into the vast night, only then did they feel completely at ease.

Xiao Die, with her sharp eyes, was the first to notice the abnormality. She pouted her small lips slightly and asked with a hint of concern and doubt, "Eh? Miss, why are you crying?" As she spoke, she reached out and gently comforted Lin Qianqian.

Lin Qianqian then came to her senses, subconsciously raising her hand to wipe away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes, and managed to force a smile.

Hearing this, everyone turned to look. Wuming leaned closer, reaching out to touch her, but Lin Qianqian stopped him, shaking her head and smiling to indicate that he was alright. Murong Yi's gaze also inadvertently drifted towards her.

Murong Qing took a few steps closer, her eyes filled with worry: "Qianqian, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Murong Lin jumped in front of Lin Qianqian, her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with scrutiny and anger. She said loudly, "Is something bothering you?" Then, she turned sharply to Murong Yi and questioned him seriously, "Ninth Brother, did you bully her?"

Murong Yi was speechless for a moment, then helplessly pursed her lips and spread her hands to show her innocence.

Su Wan'er was baffled and retorted, "Princess, don't talk nonsense. The Prince is perfectly fine; how could he bully her!"

Seeing this, Su Jinran quickly reached out and pulled Murong Lin, signaling her not to speak carelessly.

Lin Qianqian quickly waved her hand, trying to make her voice sound calm: "It's nothing, I'm not feeling unwell or unhappy, it's just... the wind is too strong and it hurts my eyes..."

Murong Lin remained somewhat skeptical and pressed further, "Is that really true?"

"Of course!" Lin Qianqian forced a smile, then, in order to divert everyone's attention, she took two quick steps, put her arm around Murong Lin's shoulder, put on a smile again, and began to chat and laugh with her.

Just then, a lively sound suddenly came from the nearby temple, with laughter, gongs and drums, and melodious Buddhist music intertwined among them.

The crowd was drawn by the sudden commotion and turned to look, their eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.

Murong Qing spoke first, saying, "This temple seems unusually lively today. Is there some kind of religious ceremony or celebration?"

Murong Lin also became interested, her eyes sparkling: "Who cares? Let's go and see!"

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, and they set off together towards the temple. Along the way, they continued to discuss and speculate about what had happened at the temple.